Two problem-plagued sections of the M1 motorway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast will be upgraded sooner than expected, with the Queensland Government forking out nearly $500 million it had previously baulked at paying.
It brings to an end a funding stoush between the state and federal governments for the congestion-cutting upgrades.
Next month's state budget will include $487 million over four years devoted to creating extra lanes in two sections of the M1, from Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill and from Varsity Lakes to Tugun, with initial work expected to start later this year.
Treasurer Jackie Trad said a total of $897 million would be set aside for the life of the upgrades, almost matching the $1 billion federal commitment, although that money is still several years away.
Ms Trad said without the large state commitment to begin planning and design work, motorists would have been waiting too long for the work to begin.
"If we were waiting for the Federal Government funds to start flowing through to Queensland before we actually started any of the planning, detailed design and construction work around these projects, we'd be waiting another four to five years," she said.
During peak hour traffic and on weekends, bottleneck areas on the motorway regularly come to a standstill.
In this month's federal budget, the Commonwealth allocated $1 billion for construction work on the M1 on the proviso the State Government agreed to a 50-50 funding split.
At the time, Ms Trad described the promise as "crumbs" and baulked at the 50-50 proposal, once more saying the Federal Government should cover 80 per cent of the cost.
She also criticised the Federal Government for allocating no fund to the Cross River Rail project.
"For these projects to get off the ground, it has to happen on the State Government credit card," Ms Trad said at the time.
But since then the State Treasurer has changed her tune.
"We want to get these projects underway as soon as possible and this money will allow that to happen," she said.
"Commuters are sitting in congestion and traffic right now.
"We know there is a big need for us to move along with these projects and that means we'll be doing the heavy lifting, before we see any money come through from the Commonwealth."
Of the $897 million, more than $220 million was promised by Labor at the last state election.
